Lesson 1: SANA MINATOTAXI CUTIE

At the end of this lesson, the students must be able to:

- Explain the nature and causes of climate change;

- Enumerate the effects of climate change; and
- Identify ways to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

Global warming and Climate change

Climate Change 101 with Bill Nye National Geographic (Links to an external site.)

The Philippines is one of the countries that are most at risk because of climate
change. The frequency of their occurrence is increasing and their intensity is
becoming stronger. These changes are manifestations of the impact of climate
change in the country.

Figure 1. Climate change

Climate change

- Is a variation in the pattern of climate properties such as temperature, wind, and

precipitation over a long period.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), established in 1988

by the United Nations Environmental Programme and the World Meteorological
Organizations to assess information on the scientific and technical literature
related to climate change.

Figure 2. Human causes of climate change

Causes of Climate Change

The concentration of carbon and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the

atmosphere leads to global warming. There is scientific evidence that global
warming is due to anthropogenic or human activities.
GHGs emitted from human activities are described by the klima Climate Change
Center as follows:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) from forest activities as well as machines and motors that
are coal, and natural gas

- Methane (CH4) primarily from agricultural activities (such as intensive livestock

raising and flooding of rice paddies), waste dumps, coal beds, and leaks from
gas pipelines

- Nitrous Oxide (N2O) from intensive agriculture and animal waste handling

- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) from individual processes

- Ozone (O3) in the lower atmosphere, indirectly from automobile exhaust fumes.

Figure 3. The Greenhouse Effect

Global warming

The greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere help regulate the surface
temperature of the planet. 30% of the incoming solar radiation from the Sun is
reflected back by clouds and the earth’s surface. The remaining 70% is absorbed
by the earth’s surface but it is radiated back to the space in the form of longwave
emanating from the planet.

If all these longwaves will remain in the earth’s surface, then it would be very hot
and life would not be bearable. On the other hand, if all the longwaves are
radiated back into space, the earth’s temperature would be too cold at -18
degrees Celsius and it will be not warm enough to sustain life.

The GHGs serve as a glass roof of a greenhouse that allows solar radiation but
traps the heat inside. Thus, the earth has a natural “blanket” system that
regulates the surface temperature.

Impact of Climate change

 Extreme weather conditions – dry season will become drier while the wet
season will become wetter.
 Degraded air quality due to increased GHGs – most of the emissions are
produced by the energy and transport sector activities.

 Altered forests’ productivity and species composition – the current

dominant species may not survive while others may proliferate.

 Unproductive agriculture – crops will be affected by droughts and floods

 Deteriorated water resources – water supply will be affected when salt-

water intrusion occurs due to the rising sea-levels.

 Disrupted natural ecosystems – rising sea-surface temperatures (SSTs)

result in coral bleaching or death of coral reefs.

 Submerged coastal areas – a warmer climate triggers the melting of ice

glaciers and ice caps, and the thermal expansion of the ocean’s resulting in
rise in sea-level.

 Weakened human health – higher incidence of vector-borne diseases, such

as malaria and dengue, is expected during warmer and rainy seasons
respectively.

Climate change has an impact on all people from various socio-economic

backgrounds. However, those who are marginalized will be the most affected.

International and National efforts on climate change

The international community have come up with initiatives to combat global

warming. The Philippines is a signatory to these international agreements.

International

1979 – First World Climate Conference

1992 – United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

was signed by countries.
 1998 – Establishment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

2005 – Kyoto Protocol took effect

2015 – Adoption of the Paris Agreement

Philippines

1991 – Establishment of the Inter-Agency committee on Climate Change

(IACCC)

1992 – The Philippines signed the UNFCCC

1994 – The Philippines ratified the UNFCCC

1998 – The Philippines signed Kyoto Protocol

2003 – The Philippines ratified Kyoto Protocol

2009 – Republic Act 9729 or The Climate Change Act of 2009 was passed

2010 – The Philippines Strategy on Climate Change Adaptation was formulated

2010 – The National Framework Strategy on Climate Change 2010-2022 was

adopted

2011 – The National Climate Change Action Plan 2011-2028 was formulated

As the international community and the national government undertake their

programs on climate change, the people and the local communities can
contribute, too. There are two general approaches to this, namely

- Climate Change Mitigation This refers to measures that can reduce

atmospheric accumulation of GHGs and thereby delay the predicted impact of
GHGs on global climate.

- Climate Change Adaptation This refers to adjustments in ecological, social, or

economic systems in response to actual or expected climate change stimuli, their
effects, or impacts to reduce vulnerability, moderate damages, and realize
opportunities.
 Tips on how to have a “low carbon diet”

- Use compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) instead of incandescent bulbs. They

consume 70%-80% less energy and last 8-13 times more than incandescent
bulbs
- Observe the 3Rs- reuse, reduce, and recycle
- Buy energy-efficient appliance
- Wake, bike, or carpool
- Patronize mass transportation such as MRT and LRT
- Turn off lights and appliances when not in use
- Unplug cellular phone chargers when the battery is fully charged
- Conserve water
- Prevent unnecessary idling of vehicles
- Avoid aggressive driving, rapid acceleration, or sudden stops
- Maintain vehicles in good running condition

Priorities and Outcomes of the National Climate Change Action Plan, 2011-
2028

 Food security – availability, stability, accessibility and affordability of safe

and healthy food amidst climate change.

 Water sufficiency – improved resilience of major water resources and

infrastructure.

 Environmental and ecological stability – ecosystem resilience and

environmental stability.

 Human security – reduction of the risks of women and men to the climate
change and disasters.

 Climate-friendly industries and services – green and eco-jobs and

sustainable consumption and production

 Sustainable energy – energy efficiency and conservation.

 Knowledge and capacity development – enhanced knowledge on the

science of climate change.
 Climate change will cause variability in the characteristics of climatic elements.
This could mean more and stronger typhoons, floods, landslides, or drought.
Disaster risk reduction and management has to be strengthened and enforced.

4 Major sectors that involve emission of harmful gases

 Energy – reduce heavy dependence on imported fossil fuels by promoting

the use and development of renewable energy derived from the sun (solar),
wind. Water (hydro), geothermal, and waste (biomass).

 Waste – promote proper waste disposal and efficient waste management

system such as composting and sanitary landfills.

 Agriculture and Land Use Change and Forestry – promote massive

reforestation and afforestation activities.

 Industry – popularize the use of energy-saving device in manufacturing

plants.

Lesson 2: Hydrometeorological Hazards and

Disasters

Hydrometeorological hazards
- “process or phenomenon of atmospheric, hydrological or oceanographic nature
that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss
of livelihoods and services, social and economic disruption, or environmental
damage” (UNISDR, 2007)
The El Niño and the La Niña Phenomena

El Niño and La Niña are a natural part of the global climate system. They occur when
the Pacific Ocean and the atmosphere above it change from their neutral (“normal”)
state for several seasons. El Niño is associated with a warming of the central and
eastern tropical Pacific, while La Niña is the reverse, with a sustained cooling of these
same areas. Theses changes in the Pacific Ocean occur in a cycle known as the El
Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). During an ENSO, ocean temperature become
warmer than usual or cooler than usual at different locatitons.

What are El Niño and La Niña events?

Figure 1. Pacific Ocean – even in neutral state the Western Pacific is warm

The term El Niño translate from the Spanish as “the boy-child”. It is now the commonly
accepted term to describe the warning of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
La Niña translates as “girl-child: and is the opposite of ENSO phase of El Niñp. Because
ENSO involves interaction between the ocean and the atmosphere – both of which play
a role in reinforcing changes in each other – it is known as a coupled ocean-atmosphere
phenomenon (“What are El Niño and El Niña?”, n.d.).

Tropical Cyclones
Figure 2. Structure of a tropical cyclone.
- An intense low pressure system with a minimum sustained wind velocity of 35
kilometers per hour (KPH). The tropical cyclone has an eye which is 10-100
kilometers per in diameter. This is the area where the wind is light and calm and
there is no rain. There is an eye wall where precipitation is heaviest and the wind
is strongest, Spiral rain bands surround the eye.
The PAGASA is the official source of information about tropical cyclones even before it
enters the PAR. Tropical cyclones are classified into four, according to their strength or
the speed of the maximum winds near the center.

Categories of Tropical Cyclones Speed of Maximum Sustained Winds

Tropical Depression 35 – 63 kilometers per hour (kph)
Tropical Storm 64-117 kph
Typhoon 118 – 180 kph
Super-typhoon More than 180 kph

Table 1. Categories of tropical cyclones.

The signal numbers also indicate which classes are to be suspended automatically by
the Department of Education. However, local government units or school authorities can
suspend classes when the local situation warrants it.

Table 2. Automatic Suspension Guidelines

Signal No. No Classes

1 Kindergarten
2 Elementary and High School
3 ALL LEVELS including tertiary level

LGU Discretion in areas where there are no storm signals

▻ Public Storm Warning Signals – pinoy politika

Figure 3. Public Storm Warning Signals – guide the people on what should be done
during a storm.

Floods
- Involve the overflowing of water from lakes, streams, and other bodies of water.

Man-made cause:

1. Increased urbanization and coastal development – The concreting the roads

and the land surface prevent the absorption of floodwater.
2. Informal settlers – due to poverty, they risk living in vulnerable areas, thus
obstructing the normal flow of floodwaters.
3. Indiscriminate dumping garbage – this causes the clogging of sewers and
drainage, resulting in flooding.
4. Deforestation – it reduces the infiltration capacity of the soil.
5. Failure of levees and dams – when the capacity of the dam can no longer
accommodate the rainfall, large quantities of water are release and cause
flooding.
6. Blasting – this causes landslides in the slopes of hills and mountains and may
result in unintentional damming of rivers and streams.

Types of Floods
1. River flood – is caused by the overflowing of rivers when the run-off exceeds the
capacity of the channels.
2. Flash flood – is caused by a very short period of unusually heavy rainfall.
3. Coastal flood – occurs when strong onshore winds push the water inland.

Safety tips on what to do:

Before Flooding
- Know how often your location is likely to be flooded and to what extent.
- Be familiar with flood warning system in your community and be sure your family
knows it.
- Keep informed of daily weather conditions.
When Warned of Flood
- Be alert to the possibility of flood, if it has been raining for several days. Flood
happens as the ground becomes saturated.
- Listen to the radio for emergency instructions.
- If advised to evacuate, do so. Don’t panic. Move to a safe area before access is
cut off by flood waters.

During Flood
- Avoid flooded areas.
- Do not attempt to cross rivers or flowing streams where water is above the knee.
- Beware of water-covered roads and bridges.

After Flooding
- Re-enter the dwellings with caution using flashlights, lanterns, or torches. There
may be flammable inside.
- Beware of fire hazards like broken electric wires.
- Do not eat food and drink water until they have been checked for food and water
contamination.

Storm Surge
- A sudden rise of sea level above the normal level on the coast due to a drop
atmospheric pressure and the force of the wind as a tropical approaches the
coast

It may caused by the following:

1. Wind/pressure effect – the stronger the wind of the tropical cyclone the lower
the atmospheric pressure, the higher the storm surge.
2. Rainfall effect – heavy rains associated with an intense tropical cyclone add to
the total sea level near the coast.
3. Tidal effect – if surge coincides with the occurrence of high tide, water level will
be higher than when it occurs during low tide condition.
4. Shape of the coastline and slope of the sea bed – the shallower the slope, the
higher the surge to the coastal communities.
How to prepare the storm surge
- To protect the coastal communities from storm surge, it is necessary that they
have a disaster preparedness plan that describes the procedures for evacuation.
The plan must identify the danger zones and this must be known to the people.
The community can formulate land-use management regulations that prevent the
building of structures along vulnerable areas, or relocation of houses and other
structures that are exposed to the risks of storm surge.

What should individuals and families do

- Make plans for evacuating the members of your family and yourself to higher
ground before a storm surge takes place.
- Stay off the beach when a weather disturbances is approaching or existing in
your coastal community.
- Refrain from building houses within 500 meters from flat or gently sloping
coastlines.

TThunderstor
- A localized storm cloud that produces lightning and thunder, and often brings
heavy rain shower or hail as well as strong gusty winds. The typical thunderstorm
is 5 kilometers in diameter and lasts an average of 30 minutes.

Hailstones are ice crystals falling from a thunderstorm. Lightning, the most
dangerous hazard associated with thunderstorm, is a visible electrical discharge due to
high voltage differences that build up within the clouds, between the clouds, and the
ground.

Signs of impending thunderstorm:

- Towering cumulonimbus clouds

- Darkening skies
- Flashes of lightning and gusty wind
- Sound of thunder
- Static on your communication equipment
How to prepare for a thunderstorm
PAGASA-DOST proved preparedness and precautionary measures as defense against
lightning.
- Stay or go indoors.
- Stay away from anything that could conduct electricity.
- Do not use any plug-in electrical appliances.
- Do not use the telephone/ cellular phone during the occurrence of thunderstorm.
- Stay in your auto mobile if you are travelling.

Tornado
- Is a localized windstorm characterized by a visible funnel-shaped, rapidly whirling
cloud extending downward from the base of a dark cumulonimbus cloud. It is
also known as twister. In the Philippines, it is called buhawi or ipo-ipo. Wind
speeds are estimated to exceed 450 kph and may last for a few minutes. When a
tornado occurs or moves over a body of water, this is called waterspout.

While a tornado can be predicted through the use of Dopler radar, the people must be
on the lookout for precursory signs. These include the following:

- The appearance of a funnel-shaped column from the base of the cumulonimbus

cloud
- Having weather that feels warm, humid, uncomfortable and calm
- Lightning and thunder
- Roaring and buzzing sound of the tornado as it reaches the ground

What you should do during a tornado:

- If at work, home or in school, keep calm; take cover in any interior hallway, at the
lowest place in a building, or under sturdy furniture. Stay away from windows.
- Secure outdoor objects (like garbage cans, garden tools, toy, signs, garden sets)
if time permits, to prevent them from causing danger during the tornado’s
passage.

L down in any depression or crawl into culverts when a tornado is about to strike as it
is considerably better than remaining upright
Drought
- Is the lack of rainfall for normal needs. The soil moisture is reduced below the
minimum necessary to sustain plants, animals, and humans because of the
deficiency of rainfall for a long period. It is a cyclical event so it can be predicted
and also a slow-onset hazard.

It can have the following impacts:

- Agricultural crops will not grow without water
- Animals will die out of thirst
- As a result of the above, there could be famine or food insecurity
- The water supply for domestic and industrial use will be reduced
- There would be less livelihood for people whose jobs are dependent on water
supply

How to prepare for drought:

- Build structures that can conserve water
- Issue an early warning to prepare the people, communities, and institutions
- Conserve water even prior to the occurrence of the drought
- Adopt indigenous practices in agriculture which could vary depending on the
physical situations and cultures in communities
- Preserve and store food
- Desalinate water supply
- Change lifestyle to adapt to drought

Domestic water conservation is very important in responding to drought. When there is

warning on the critical level of water supply in reservoirs that will affect domestic and
industrial use, all sectors have to be conscious about conserving water.